Kausika Kumar Malik

Dedicated and result-driven researcher with 10 years of laboratory research experience, specializing in cell biology, with a strong background in epigenetic and chromatin biology. Proficient in utilizing advanced cell biology equipment and techniques. Specializing in CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing and immunofluorescence, molecular cloning, and scientific writing. I excel in collaborative environments, driving innovative solutions that enhance project outcomes. Committed to advancing scientific knowledge through rigorous experimentation and effective communication. During my PhD, I uncovered how MLL/SETD1A regulates H3K4me2 methylation at the centromere, thereby modulating RNA Pol II activity to ensure proper CENP-A deposition. Additionally, I also have a strong background in centrosome biology. These findings determine my grip on chromatin, transcription, and cell biology.

• Cellular and Molecular Biology
• Centrosome Biology
• Centromere Biology
• Chromatin Biology
• Epigenetics
• RNA Biology
• Cancer Biology
• Structural Biology

During my doctoral study at CDFD, Hyderabad, under Dr. Shweta Tyagi, I focused on deciphering the role of the MLL family of H3K4 methyltransferases in centromere function. In brief, we demonstrated that MLL family proteins bind to centromeric non-coding DNA and deposit H3K4me2 at the centromere, absence of the MLL family proteins affects centromere epigenetics and non-coding RNA transcription via RNA Pol II. This, in turn, destabilizes centromere proteins at the centromere, which in turn gives rise to mitotic defects.

• Hands-on training in Molecular Biology, fermentation technology, and Bioinformatics, 2012
• UGC-SAP current trends of wildlife research in India with special reference to Herpetology, 2012
• 20th Transcriptional Assembly Meeting, 2018
• Manipal Research Colloquium, 2018
• India International Science Festival (IISF), 2019
• 92nd Annual Meeting of the Society of Biological Chemistry (SBC), 2023
• Whole Exome data analysis held at CDFD, 2023
• 6th Chromosome stability meeting held at JNCASR, 2024
• 40th IPSACON held at ICAR-DPR, 2025

• Qualified and Availed Department of Biotechnology award DBT JRF-A, 2014
• DBT JRF-B, 2013
• Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering GATE, 2014
• Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Qualified (CSIR) UGC JRF, 2014
• UGC L.S, 2014
• Letter of appreciation for COVID-19 volunteers
• Qualified National Cadet Corps (NCC) 'C' examination

• Chodisetty, S., Arora, A., Malik, K. K., Goel, H., & Tyagi, S., 2024, MLL/WDR5 complex recruits centriolar satellite protein Cep72 to regulate microtubule nucleation and spindle formation., Science Advances, 10, 50, eadn0086
• Malik, K. K., Sridhara, S. C., Lone, K. A., Katariya, P. D., Pulimamidi, D., & Tyagi, S., 2023, MLL methyltransferases regulate H3K4 methylation to ensure CENP-A assembly at human centromeres., PLoS Biology, 21, 6, e3002161
• Padhi, P., Panda, M.K., Singh, Y.D., Bharadwaj, K.K., Malik, K.K., Nayak, B., 2022, Phytoplankton mediated nanoparticles for cancer therapy., Bio-Nano Interface: Applications in Food, Healthcare and Sustainability, 143-159, Book chapter